Chapter 252
My own anger was simmering beneath the surface. “I want to reclaim what is mine and to rebuild my mother’s legacy.”
His features automatically softened. His proud smile returned. “I wouldn’t have expected anything less. If anyone can do it, it’s you. But that’s not the only reason you called for this meeting.”
I carefully nibbled on my bottom lip while shaking my head. “You’re right. I’m asking you for the grace so that I may leave my husband’s side while I undergo this endeavor.”
He playfully narrowed his eyes. “Why do I have a suspicious feeling that Kane is not too happy about this?”
I raised a knowing brow. “That’s because he’s not,” I said. “It isn’t that he’s not supportive of me wanting to reclaim my inheritance. It’s just… He’s not too pleased about what it would mean for the two of us going forward.”
He gave me a look, prompting me to continue.
“What I am asking of you is to grant me a temporary separation from Kane, and what’s been socially expected of the two of us as of late,” I said, feeling timid.
I wasn’t sure how the king was going to react to my request. Having read the documents and listened to everything I told him, he could still have easily rejected my request.
Gods, I hoped he wouldn’t.
I wasn’t sure what I would do if I were still expected to remain at Kane’s house and somehow fight for my inheritance against my father and stepmother. None of it seemed remotely possible.
A look of indecisiveness flickered across his eyes. “Tell me something first, if you will.” I nodded. “What really happened the night of the formal?”
The king had preordered a few plates for us to pick at. I took a few pieces of fried calamari as well as a piece of chicken marsala.
The food was delicious, and for a few moments, the two of us ate in comfortable silence.
“That night, before I showed up, I had discovered that the dress I was meant to wear had been horribly destroyed. I made do with another one that I already had and tried to move past it,” I explained.
“Based on that look you have, you already have a good idea as to who was responsible,” he noted.
“Oh, yes. Now, when I showed up to the event hall, I was already annoyed. But as the evening went on, I actually was having a good time. But then, at one point, when I was returning from the powder room, I was shoved into a closet and locked in.”
The king grimaced.
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“I had no choice but to shift in order to get out,” I confessed. I still felt ashamed for how disheveled I looked after that. “And Kane hadn’t even tried to come looking for me.”
I took a long sip of my tea. “I’ll admit, our marriage has not been strong as of late. And to be honest, I’m not too keen on the idea of the whole region wanting to know our personal business.”
“I don’t blame you,” he commented.
I proceeded to give him a pointed look. “And I certainly don’t appreciate you giving Kane and me an
ultimatum.”
He at least had the decency to appear mildly chastised. “My apologies,” he chuckled.
I gently shook my head and laughed. “Believe it or not, Kane and I were on the same page, wanting to potentially start a family. Getting pregnant wouldn’t have been easy anyway. It’s why I’ve been developing a fertility enhancer.”
The king gave me a baffled look. “You never cease to amaze me,” he marveled. “Alright. I’ll give you the time you need to reclaim your inheritance. I say it’s time we put those thieves in their rightful place.”
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